196 ANECDOTES. 



the river, the greater part of the way through 

 thick jungle covered with heavy dew, scarcely 

 seeing a yard before us. I well remember in 

 going through some grass, at least ten feet 

 high, being alarmed at hearing some large ani- 

 mal near us the gloominess of our situation 

 created fear, and made me fancy that it must be a 

 tiger ; however it proved to be a tame buffalo that 

 had straggled from the herd which were grazing 

 a few hundred yards farther on: we soon heard 

 the bell buffalo* which was recognised by the 

 men with me, and delighted us ; we hastened on 

 to the sound, expecting to see the herdsman, and 

 when we came up to the buffalo the Guallah, or 

 herdsman, was riding on its back, and was as much 

 surprised and alarmed as we had been, taking us 

 for thieves. When he was told who we were, he 

 good naturedly showed us the nearest way out 

 of the long grass, and directed us how to proceed, 

 observing, that we had run considerable risk 

 of having been taken off by tigers, but assured 

 us there was no danger of meeting with any further 

 on. We arrived at the place where the fleet of 



* One of the oldest always carries a wooden bell round the 

 neck, which keeps them together, and prevents tigers from 

 attacking- any of them. 



